Bill, we have been in the business of bringing new products to market for over 30 years. Currently, we are working with two products in the packaging stage and two in development. We have signed non-disclosure agreements with all involved.

Gary is right. You can easily do a "Poor Man's Patent" by sending details (usually engineering drawings, any associated photos, a logo or proposed logo, etc.) registered mail to one of the key people in the organization (yourself-the inventor, etc.).

Be aware, however, that even a strong patent will not prevent off-shore rep-offs. I've seen it many times...a new product being photographed at, say the Hardware Show; then the cheaper rip-off model in an improved package at the next show.

If the product is going into a mass merchandising situation (Lowe's, Home Depot, Minards, etc.) you need to consider packaging issues before you even develop a proto-type. I can't tell you the times I've had to tell a guy who has his life savings tied up and 50,000 units in the basement to toss the production out and start over.

One such case was a guy who developed a fishing lazy susan that was positioned under a boat seat. The seat mounted through a center hole. The item was 13 1/2" wide, and no mass merchandiser would buy an item of that size. You have to be able to get two side-by-side on a 24" end cap.

Right now, I'm re-designing a water purifier package from overseas. The main graphic is left-reading. In package design, you have to be concerned with "multiple facings"...what
an assortment will look like stacked side-by-side. There's a 10 foot rule. You have to have packaging that will easily feature what's in the box and why I should care to a person walking slowly 10 feet away. In the USA, graphics have to be either right reading or centered.

Representation is the next big hurtle. Mass merchandise items are sold by agent organizations, and there are very good ones and very bad ones. And, these guys are a trip to manage.

Sounds complicated but I'd be glad to "talk you thru it". Generally, for places like Lowe's and Home Depot, it takes a year to get a product on the shelves.

Good luck!


Russ


[This message has been edited by captain Russ (edited 03-08-2010).]